Qin Shuang'er's face was red, she lowered her head, twirled the corners of her clothes, and looked shy as if she wanted to stop talking. She whispered in a low voice: "Third brother, don't you know everything? Why are you asking..."
Qin Mubai smiled: "Third brother, haven't you been away from home for three years? How much can you remember? I don't know what happened between you two. Tell me, what else can you hide in front of my brother?"
Qin Shuang'er flashed her big eyes and smiled shyly, nodded, and told the whole story.
It turned out that because Qin Shubao was Li Shimin's former official in the Qin Palace, the children of the Qin family had been close to Li Shimin's children since they were young. Over time, Qin Shuang'er and Li Ke became childhood sweethearts. Later, when he grew up, Li Ke was interested in Shuang'er, and the two were expected to get married, but there was a barrier between their marriages.
One of the biggest obstacles is the concept of family status. Although Qin Shubao was honored as Shangzhu Kingdom, General Zuowuwei and Duke Yi Guo, he came from a humble background. The Li family was a long-established noble family in Guanlong, and it was an imperial family. According to secular concepts, the two families were not of the same family. Qin Shuang'er was a concubine born from a side wife. Compared to the noble-blooded prince Li Ke, she was extremely lowly in stature.
Another obstacle is Qin Shubao. For some unknown reason, although Qin Shubao had no objection to Li Ke, he was opposed to his daughter's marriage to the King of Wu.
In today's Zhenguan Dynasty, the concept of family status is deeply rooted in people's hearts. Although it is invisible and intangible, it is an insurmountable gap in people's hearts. Just like the Qin family, a new wealthy family that grew up in poverty, no matter how big the official position is now, in the eyes of the world, it is still not as noble as the blood of the old officials. Furthermore, with Qin Shubao's objection to the important matter of marriage and the parents' order to find a matchmaker, even if Li Ke was a dignified prince of the Tang Dynasty, he would not dare to force it.
In this way, Li Ke and Shuang'er became a pair of bitter mandarin ducks who were destined but not destined to each other. Two years ago, the seventeen-year-old Li Ke married the daughter of the former Sui royal family Yang. Qin Shuang'er was so sad that she almost gave up the idea of marriage - in any case, Qin Shubao's character would never allow her to marry. A concubine.
But the friendship between the two that has been formed since childhood is difficult to erase. Therefore, both Li Ke and Qin Shuang'er could only hide their feelings and interact with each other privately, but they did not dare to go beyond the boundaries.
After hearing this, Qin Mubai shook his head, never expecting that there was such an emotional entanglement between Fourth Sister and King Wu.
"Third brother, why are you just shaking your head... tell me, what should I do?" Qin Shuang'er said nagging, looking at Qin Mubai pitifully.
Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Silly girl, King Wu has already married. Even if your father agrees, are you willing to marry her and become a concubine (the prince's concubine)?"
In the Tang Dynasty, as in many feudal dynasties, concubines had no status or respect. No matter how noble your background was, if you were married as a concubine, you would be like the livestock of the male master's family. You could be beaten, scolded, driven, and even bought and sold at will. . Among the noble families of the Tang Dynasty, there was a custom of exchanging concubines for fun, even the concubines of princes were no exception.
The laws of the Tang Dynasty even expressly stipulated that if the head of the family and his wife killed a concubine, they could pay a fine to offset the crime. Moreover, generally speaking, concubines cannot be corrected. If the male master dared to abandon his wife and establish a concubine, he would be sentenced to one and a half years of exile.
Although the folk customs of the Tang Dynasty were relatively open and the status of women was relatively high. It was this environment that later led to the emergence of a unique female emperor in history. However, it still could not change the nature of this patriarchal society - concubines were playthings, and reality was So cruel.
Qin Shuang'er's face changed as expected, she lowered her head in frustration, and there seemed to be tears in her eyes, and murmured: "But, I really only like him... If I can't marry him, I would rather die alone or become a monk. "
Seeing this scene, Qin Mubai's heart ached slightly.
From his perspective in the 21st century, free love is normal, and his younger sister is passionately devoted to Li Ke. But now, the old feudal customs that stand in front of them are simply an insurmountable mountain.
"Don't be sad, little sister. Everything depends on people. Third brother will definitely find a way to help you." Qin Mubai took Fourth Sister's little hand in his palm, patted it gently, and nodded affirmatively.
"Well!... Third brother loves me the most!" Two lines of clear tears fell from Qin Shuang'er's smart eyes. Qin Mubai stretched out his hand to wipe it off for her. Qin Shuang'er immediately broke into a smile and turned away shyly to wipe away her tears.
The brother and sister chatted for a while longer before Qin Shuang'er returned to the room.
"But, is there any way to solve this problem of little sister?" Qin Mubai was lying on the bed, thinking to himself: The biggest obstacle between little sister and Li Ke is naturally the gap in family background. My mother is the step-concubine. If Qin Shubao passes away one day, it is hard to say whether she, the concubine, can stay in the Qin Mansion. It depends on whether the two eldest brothers, who are direct relatives, are kind.
My younger sister and I are both concubines of the Qin family. We do not have any title or inheritance rights to the family property. At most, our status is slightly higher than that of ordinary people. We are not welcome at all in the eyes of the nobles and wealthy families. Unless...unless I can become a real high-ranking official and stand out, it is possible to change this situation!
"Oh, my own destiny, my mother's destiny, and my little sister's destiny all depend on me. It seems that I really can't do anything without struggle!"
…
Winter in Guan Nei is bitterly cold. At dawn, the overcast clouds turned the water into ice.
In the polo field in the backyard of the Qin family, a series of sonorous horse hooves sounded. Qin Mubai was wearing thin Hu clothes and riding a white horse with white flowers, practicing riding and shooting and spear skills.
The day's plan begins in the morning. The ancients heard the chicken dance, but Qin Mubai didn't want to be lazy.
The Zhenguan Tang Dynasty was an era of aggressiveness. "Strive for progress and strive for self-improvement" was the main theme of this era, and it was also one of the mysteries of the "Han-Tang Spirit" that was famous for later generations.
Now, Qin Mubai is very grateful that the fate of mischief has given him a buffer period. After coming to Zhenguan Datang, he had a relatively ample time to adapt to this era, and had a better environment to improve his adaptability. Instead of being caught off guard and thrown into the great torrent of this era at the beginning, we were instantly submerged in the magnificent river of history.
Qin Shubao's casual words had an enlightening effect on Qin Mubai - "Be ambitious, good! I hope this is not just rhetoric."
Having goals and confidence, even if you work hard, it doesn't mean you will succeed. The most important thing is to have considerable ability.
If you want to settle down in the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, it is far from enough to rely on some ingenious tricks of prostitutes or the shadow of your father's family - literary talent and military virtue are indispensable, this is the most fundamental Also the most useful thing.
Qin Mubai firmly believes that opportunities only favor those who are prepared. No matter in which era, opportunity and luck are the same thing. Always work harder and go faster than others. This is the basis for success.
"Ha, ha!" angrily shouted on the polo field.
Today's practice of spear skills is more proficient, and riding and shooting is obviously much more proficient and accurate than last time. Qin Mubai is very satisfied with his moral understanding of martial arts. Don’t aim for a thousand miles in a day, but strive to make progress every day and accumulate steps to reach a thousand miles. This is enough.
When he returned to his house dripping with sweat, the servants in the mansion got up one after another. Qin Mubai ran to the kitchen to boil a pot of water and took a bath. The servants were all surprised and ashamed. This third young master was completely different from his past temperament. Not only did he lose his previous coquettish and dandy air, he also became so low-key and diligent.
"Third Young Master, from now on I will get up an hour early every day and boil hot water for you first."
After hastily eating breakfast, Qin Mubai went to greet Qin Shubao and his mother respectively. The Tang Dynasty governed the country with filial piety, and it was essential for children at home to greet them in the morning and dusk. In his father's room, the father and son discussed martial arts skills with guns and arrows for a while. Before leaving, Qin Shubao said: "Sanlang, I am very happy to see you being such a diligent father. You will soon become a seventh-grade official, and you will be the same as your father." I am a minister. I have something to tell you as a father."
"Please tell me, father."
Qin Shubao nodded and said: "How to be an official and how to be a human being, you should slowly learn these by yourself. My father only tells you one thing: no matter where you are an official, don't get involved in a whirlpool."
"What whirlpool?"
"The dispute between princes for the heir apparent." Qin Shubao said in a slightly deep voice, word for word.
Qin Mubai's heart trembled, and he bowed his hands and said, "My child has remembered it."
"As a father, there is no need to say more. Just keep it in mind."
"Kid, remember this."
Back in his room, Qin Mubai began to practice calligraphy and study books.
The so-called literary, Taoist and military strategies are the capital to survive in the current environment, and they are also the capital to strive for upward climb. Now that we have come to the Zhenguan Tang feudal dynasty, which was governed by Confucianism, we must have some understanding of Confucian classics and literary and historical laws.
Three feet of ice cannot be frozen in a day, and it is impossible to become a giant scholar in a short period of time. Therefore, Qin Mubai targeted the laws, regulations, political systems and historical materials of the dynasty. These may be more practical for him now and improve his adaptability.
Therefore, Qin Mubai tried his best to find many legal books and unofficial history notes on the rule of law, military system, official system and other aspects. Fortunately, I am not very unfamiliar with classical culture and have some cultural foundation, so it is not difficult to learn and understand it. He thought that since his father taught him martial arts, he would have to find a good and knowledgeable teacher to teach cultural classes in the future.
Every table, every case, every book, with the fire burning sandalwood, Qin Mubai blends into this small room filled with ancient cases and books, showing a rather elegant demeanor.
"Hehe, third brother is actually studying!" A string of laughter like silver bells sounded outside the window, and fourth sister came.
"Girl, you know that third brother is studying and you come to disturb him? Come in quickly, it's cold outside." Qin Mubai put down the book, stood up and opened the door.
"Hoo, ho! It's so cold." Qin Shuang'er jumped in, rubbed her hands and stamped her feet, ran to sit next to the fire, and said with a smile: "Third brother, mother just told me today that you were appointed an official by the emperor. , I’m here to congratulate you! Great, the third brother will also be an official in the future!”
"Silly girl." Qin Mubai smiled, rubbed a few times on her face that was red from the cold, and said, "Tell me, why do you come to see me?"
Qin Shuang'er blushed and said with a smile: "Third brother, you will be an official in Prince Wu's palace from now on, and you can see him every day!"
"Well, I know what you want to say." Qin Mubai smiled and said, "Don't worry, third brother will always take your matter to heart. If it is convenient, I can also take you to his house for a visit."
"Hehe..." Qin Shuang'er lowered her head and snickered, her face flushed, and said: "Just now when my mother was chatting with me, she mentioned that you are not young yet and it's time for a kiss. When it comes to starting a family and starting a career, a man without a wife is like a tree. The child has no skin.”
"Let's talk about this later, I have no such plan now." Qin Mubai said with a smile.
"Mom seems to be very concerned and anxious."
"I will make it clear to her. Why should a man worry about not having a wife? What do you think, little sister?"
"Hehe, Third Brother has really changed. He is studious and very confident! Not bad, this is a good man! If I were a girl from another family, I would definitely like a man like Third Brother."
"That means you don't like your third brother now?"
"Hehe! That's different!"
The brother and sister were chatting happily when a servant from the mansion said outside the door: "Third Young Master, we have a visitor."
"Who is here?" The brother and sister couldn't help but look at each other and thought at the same time: Could it be King Wu
"Replying to the third young master, the visitor claimed to be the director of the Taiyue Department of Taichang Temple. His surname is Zeng. He made a special trip to visit the third young master."
"Oh, I'm here to learn pipa!" the brother and sister said in unison. Qin Shuang'er's eyes lit up and she said with a smile: "I forgot, third brother, you seem to have learned a wonderful pipa, and even the emperor praised it. You are teaching to others, so why don't you teach it to my little sister first? "
"Of course it's no problem." Qin Mubai stood up, "But now, I have to go see the man who signed the order first."
Taiyue Department, one of the affiliated organizations of Taichang Temple, is responsible for providing court music. According to the Taile Department's order, those who are from the seventh rank are half a level lower than Qin Mubai, who is from the seventh rank and is offering wine in the East Pavilion of the Prince's Mansion.
Therefore, when Zeng issued an order and entered the residence of General Qin Qiong of Shangzhu Kingdom, he did not dare to say that he wanted to see Qin Shubao. He knelt down in the living room and waited for Qin Mubai's arrival with trembling eyes.
"I'm sorry for keeping Zeng's order waiting for so long." Qin Mubai sat down across from him and smiled.
"Your Majesty, Zeng Hongyou, has seen Qin offering wine." Tai Le, who was over forty years old, straightened his waist and bowed with his hands bowed, and said with a low eyebrow.
"I don't need to be polite, I am a junior." Qin Mubai returned the gift with his hand and said, "I don't know why I condescended to visit?"
"According to your Majesty's instructions, I have come here to learn how to play the pipa." After saying that, Zeng Hongyou stood up, fluffed up his front robe and bowed down, facing Qin Mubai as a disciple.
"Wait a minute!" Qin Mubai was not used to bowing to him all the time, let alone an old man coming to bow to him in return. He stopped him and said, "I told you, I am a junior. , how can you accept the great gift of an order? Since your Majesty has an order, you should obey it, so I will teach you the pipa and you will be exempted from this ceremony!"
Zeng Hongyou was startled for a moment, and then he raised his eyes and saw Qin Mubai clearly. He couldn't help but hesitate in his heart: I heard from Your Majesty that Sanlang of the Qin family's pipa skills are amazing and unique in our dynasty. Let me treat him with humility and respect. You can't be abrupt and rude, let alone rely on your old age. If it had not come from His Majesty's mouth, no one would have believed what you said. Because the third young master of Qin Shubao's family has always been known as a dandy. Now, I feel that he is wise and polite, which is different from the rumors? strangeness…